Anyone looking forward to seeing Gary Ablett make his first International Rules appearance will have to wait a little longer after the two-time Brownlow medallist withdrew from the upcoming series.
The eight-time All Australian cited personal reasons for withdrawing from the two-match series with the AFL confirming there would be no replacement for the Geelong champion.
Ablett was just one of a number of marquee players to be included in the squad which will join up together in Adelaide on Thursday for their first training session.
Ablett's decision comes just weeks after his sister Natasha suddenly passed away while the 33-year-old remains in the middle of relocating from the Gold Coast to his former home.
AFLW premiership coach Bec Goddard has been added to the Australian coaching panel alongside Ross Lyon and Chris and Brad Scott.
"I saw the International Rules Series was on and I thought it would be great for my professional development, so I sent an email to Chris Scott to see if it was a chance," Goddard said.
"I want to learn from different coaches and I thought this was an opportunity too good to miss."
Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, 2016 No.4 pick Ben Ainswoth will don Ablett's no.9 jumper next season.
Ainsworth kicked 14 goals in 13 games this season after overcoming a quad injury in the first half of the season.
